The Curriculum Studies Reader

Flinders (curriculum studies, Indiana U., Bloomington) and Thornton (secondary education, U. of South Florida, Tampa) collect 32 previously published historical and contemporary essays in curriculum studies. They begin with essays from curriculum scholars from about hundred years ago, such as John Dewey and Maria Montessori, tracing the emergence of curriculum as an area of scholarship and practice, then present essays through around the middle of the twentieth century, when scholarship focused on models of curriculum development, including design, implementation, and evaluation, and scholars became known as traditionalists. The section that follows contains essays by reconceptualists who were critical of the traditionalist focus and raised issues of personal meaning, social criticism, and other aspects. The final section considers recent developments and trends, including high-stakes testing, standards, accountability, queer curriculum theory, gender perspectives, and complementary curriculum, and has been updated for this edition, which also addresses the reconciliation between the reconceptualists and traditionalists and the globalization of the field. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

David J. Flinders is Professor of Curriculum Studies in the School of Education at Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.

Stephen J. Thornton is Professor and Chair of the Department of Secondary Education at the University of South Florida, USA.